Archives and Rare Books

Engaging with Policymakers, Past and Present

In April 2025, the Center for Health and Science Communication at Becker Library hosted a #SciComm Seminar titled “Communicating Effectively with Policymakers.” Ross C. Brownson, Steven H. and Susan U. Lipstein Distinguished Professor of Public Health, presented a basic communication model and discussed its application to communicating evidence-based public health knowledge with local, state, and  [Read more]

Archives and Rare Books

History in the Field: Medical Elective Goes to Scotland

For the past several years, the Center for the History of Medicine has sponsored a week-long trip abroad for students with an interest in medical history. While the first iterations of this program were offered for Phase I students, this year marks the first time it was incorporated into an elective for Phase III students.  [Read more]

Archives and Rare Books

The Antichrist cometh

A fountain pouring blood instead of wine. A blood-red moon and blood raining from the sky. The capture of a fish that looks like a lion. What do these unsettling events portend? The answers can be found in a compilation of early modern religious propaganda by the German preacher Heinrich Oraeus (1584-1646). Oraeus was a  [Read more]

Archives and Rare Books

Comrades in science? U.S.-U.S.S.R. exchanges in health and medicine

As the United States and the Soviet Union vied for global dominance during the Cold War, they also engaged in scientific and technical exchanges—including in the fields of health and medicine. These exchanges ranged from informal delegations to state-sponsored visits, and they often included scientists affiliated with universities and hospitals. Read more about how Washington  [Read more]

Archives and Rare Books

Reproductive Rights: Highlights from Becker Archives and Rare Books

Reproductive rights in America are constantly changing. But how did we get here? Historical context can help us understand our current moment and even possible futures. Becker Library has a variety of historic materials that shed light on the history of reproductive rights at WashU and in St. Louis.

Archives and Rare Books

Spotlight on East Asia: A Cross-Campus Speaker Series Recap

When discussing medical history, it is common for narratives to focus predominantly on Europe and America — yet doing so misses large, rich parts of medical history. Spotlight on East Asia was a two-day speaker series focusing on medical history in East Asia (specifically China, Japan, and Korea), and was hosted by Becker Medical Library  [Read more]

Archives and Rare Books

One building with two different names

McMillan, as it is frequently referred to by most campus employees, is a massive 14-story tower with distinctive orange bricks and a terracotta roof that has served as one of the most iconic and recognizable buildings at the WashU medical campus for nearly 100 years. Curiously, the building features two different main entryways, each with  [Read more]

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